Protective shield assembly

ABSTRACT

A protective shield assembly includes a protective shield base having a generally planar base panel; first and second base panel end walls extending from the base panel; first and second base panel side walls extending from the base panel between the first and second base panel end walls; first and second base panel end flanges extending from the first and second base panel end walls, respectively; and multiple side shield attachment flanges extending from each of the first and second base panel side walls. A corrugated panel is provided on the base panel between the first and second base panel end walls. A shield section having multiple protective shield assemblies is also disclosed.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to protective shields for the exteriorsof buildings. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to aprotective shield assembly which can be assembled on a soffit or fasciaof a building to protect the exterior of the building from storm damageor the like.

BACKGROUND

Many buildings have a soffit or protective cladding at the underside ofa flight of stairs, a projecting cornice or the underside of a ceilingat the corner of the ceiling and wall. In houses, the soffit (or eave)forms a ceiling from the top of an exterior wall to the outer edge ofthe overhanging roof and bridges the gap between the exterior wall andthe roofline. A soffit that extends from the horizontal to the verticalis known as a fascia or facade.

Placement of exterior protective material on soffits, fascias andfacades of buildings and houses may be necessary in geographical areaswhich are vulnerable to storm conditions to prevent the damaging effectsof winds which could otherwise penetrate or damage the soffit, fascia orfacade. For example, buildings and houses in coastal and othergeographical areas which receive high-velocity winds, as well as theexteriors of high-rise buildings, may require the use of exteriorprotective cladding. Therefore, a protective shield assembly which canbe assembled on a soffit or fascia of a building or house to effectivelyprotect the exterior of the building or house from storm damage or thelike is needed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is generally directed to a protective shieldassembly. An illustrative embodiment of the protective shield assemblyincludes a protective shield base having a generally planar base panel;first and second base panel end walls extending from the base panel;first and second base panel side walls extending from the base panelbetween the first and second base panel end walls; first and second basepanel end flanges extending from the first and second base panel endwalls, respectively; and multiple side shield attachment flangesextending from each of the first and second base panel side walls. Acorrugated panel is provided on the base panel between the first andsecond base panel end walls.

The present disclosure is further generally directed to a shieldsection. An illustrative embodiment of the shield section includes ashield section frame and multiple protective shield assemblies providedon the shield section frame. Each of the protective shield assembliesincludes a protective shield base having multiple flanges provided onthe shield section frame and a corrugated panel provided on theprotective shield base. The flanges of the protective shield base on afirst one of the protective shield assemblies meshes with the flanges ofthe protective shield base on a second one of the protective shieldassemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be made, by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of theprotective shield assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along section line 2 in FIG.1, of an illustrative embodiment of the protective shield assembly;

FIG. 3 is a side view, taken along viewing lines 3-3 in FIG. 1, of anillustrative embodiment of the protective shield assembly;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along section line 4 in FIG.3, of a corner portion on an illustrative embodiment of the protectiveshield assembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along section line 5 in FIG.3, of an opposite corner portion on an illustrative embodiment of theprotective shield assembly;

FIG. 5A is a transverse sectional view of a portion of an illustrativeembodiment of the protective shield assembly, more particularlyillustrating attachment of the corrugated panel to the protective shieldbase using an insulating adhesive;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a panel ridge of the corrugatedpanel, more particularly illustrating a galvanized coating on thecorrugated panel;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a halfprotective shield assembly;

FIG. 7 is a side view, taken along viewing lines 7-7 in FIG. 6, of anillustrative embodiment of the half protective shield assembly;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a ceiling section having multiple protectiveshield assemblies and a pair of half protective shield assemblies;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 9-9 in FIG. 8,more particularly illustrating adjacent alternating tab attachment of apair of protective shield assemblies to each other in the ceilingsection;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along section lines 10-10 in FIG. 8,more particularly illustrating end-to-end overlapping attachment of apair of protective shield assemblies to each other in the ceilingsection;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the ceiling section, with a ceiling sectionframe (illustrated in phantom) supporting the protective shieldassemblies in the ceiling section;

FIG. 12 is an end view of a stud element of the ceiling section frame;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view, partially in section, of a stud elementof the ceiling section frame, with a channel beam attached to the studfor attachment of the stud to a ceiling;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a stud, with multiple protective shieldassemblies attached to the stud;

FIG. 14 is a side view (partially in section) of a stud, moreparticularly attachment of a pair of adjacently alternating tabprotective shield assemblies to the stud via a hat channel beam;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along section line 15 inFIG. 13, more particularly illustrating an exemplary manner of attachingthe stud of the ceiling section frame to a framing track;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a ceiling section and an adjacentfascia section each having multiple protective shield assemblies;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the ceiling section and the fascia sectionillustrated in FIG. 16, with the ceiling section attached to a ceiling(in section) and the fascia section attached to a fascia (in section) ofa building;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a ceiling (partially in section), withmultiple ceiling sections each having multiple protective shieldassemblies attached to the ceiling;

FIG. 19 is a top view, partially in section, of adjacent protectiveshield assemblies, more particularly illustrating side-to-sideengagement of the protective shield assemblies with each other;

FIG. 20 is a side view, partially in section, of adjacent protectiveshield assemblies, more particularly illustrating side-to-sideengagement of the protective shield assemblies with each other;

FIG. 21 is a top view, partially in section, of adjacent protectiveshield assemblies, more particularly illustrating end-to-end engagementof the protective shield assemblies with each other; and

FIG. 22 is a side view, partially in section, of adjacent protectiveshield assemblies, more particularly illustrating end-to-end engagementof the protective shield assemblies with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the invention and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7 of the drawings, an illustrativeembodiment of the protective shield assembly, hereinafter assembly, isgenerally indicated by reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1-5A. Someapplications of the protective shield assembly 1, which will behereinafter described, may additionally utilize one or more halfprotective shield assemblies 1 a, an illustrative embodiment of which isillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The assembly 1 includes a protectiveshield base 2 which may be aluminum, for example and without limitation.The protective shield base 2 has a base panel 3 which may be generallyplanar, elongated and rectangular. First and second base panel end walls4 and 4 a, respectively, extend from the base panel 3 along respectiveends thereof. First and second base panel side walls 5 and 5 a,respectively, extend from the base panel 3 along respective edgesthereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, each base panel end wall 4, 4a (and each base panel side wall 5, 5 a) may be disposed in generallyperpendicular relationship with respect to the plane of the base panel3. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments a filler material 6,which may be as caulk, for example and without limitation, may beprovided between the edges of each base panel end wall 4, 4 a andadjacent base panel side wall 5, 5 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first base panel end flange 8 extendsoutwardly from the first base panel end wall 4 (FIG. 4) and a secondbase panel end flange 8 a extends outwardly from the second base panelend wall 4 a (FIG. 5). Each base panel end flange 8, 8 a may be disposedin generally perpendicular relationship with respect to the plane of thecorresponding base panel end wall 4, 4 a from which it extends. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, a first set of multiple side shield attachmentflanges 9 extends outwardly from the first base panel side wall 5 inspaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. A first set offlange gaps 12 separates the adjacent side shield attachment flanges 9from each other. A second set of multiple side shield attachment flanges9 a extends outwardly from the second base panel side wall 5 a inspaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. A second set offlange gaps 12 a separates the adjacent side shield attachment flanges 9a from each other. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the side shieldattachment flanges 9 of the first flange set may be offset or staggeredwith respect to the respective side shield attachment flanges 9 a of thesecond flange set. Likewise, the flange gaps 12 of the first gap set maybe offset or staggered with respect to the respective flange gaps 12 aof the second gap set. A shield fastener opening 10 may extend througheach side shield attachment flange 9 of the first flange set and eachside shield attachment flange 9 a of the second flange set for purposeswhich will be hereinafter described.

A corrugated panel 16 is provided on the base panel 3 of the protectiveshield base 2 between the first and second base panel end walls 4 and 4a, respectively, and between the first and second base panel side walls5 and 5 a, respectively. The corrugated panel 16 may be steel, forexample and without limitation, and has multiple panel ridges 17 andintervening panel troughs 18. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the panel ridges17 and panel troughs 18 of the corrugated panel 16 may extendtransversely across the longitudinal axis of the base panel 3, ingenerally perpendicular relationship with respect to the first basepanel side wall 5 and the second base panel side wall 5 a and ingenerally parallel relationship with respect to the first base panel endwall 4 and the second base panel end wall 4 a of the protective shieldbase 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, in some embodiments anelectrically-insulating adhesive 7 attaches the corrugated panel 16 tothe base panel 3. However, it is to be understood that the corrugatedpanel 16 may be attached to the base panel 3 using welding, fasteners(not illustrated) and/or other suitable attachment technique which isknown by those skilled in the art. As further illustrated in FIG. 5B, insome embodiments a galvanized coating 3 a may be provided on therespective surfaces of the corrugated panel 16. The galvanized coating 3a may be a zinc coating which may be applied to the surfaces of thecorrugated panel 16 using a hot dip coating process or any othersuitable coating process or technique which is known by those skilled inthe art. The half protective shield assembly 1 a which is illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7 may be similar in design to that of the protective shieldassembly 1 which was heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 1-6,except the length of the half protective shield assembly 1 a may beapproximately half or slightly less than half the length of theprotective shield assembly 1.

Referring next to FIGS. 8-15 and 18-22 of the drawings, an exemplaryshield section 20 which utilizes multiple meshing protective shieldassemblies 1 and a pair of half protective shield assemblies 1 a isillustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 18 and will be hereinafterdescribed, multiple shield sections 20 can be attached to a surface 48such as an exterior soffit, ceiling or fascia, for example and withoutlimitation, of a building or structure (not illustrated) in adjacentlymeshing relationship with respect to each other to shield and protectthe surface 48 from high winds and flying debris during stormconditions. The exemplary shield section 20 which is illustrated in FIG.8 has five meshing protective shield assemblies 1 and two meshing halfprotective shield assemblies 1 a; however, it is to be understood thateach shield section 20 may have a greater or lesser number of meshingprotective shield assemblies 1 and half protective shield assemblies 1a. A half shield access gap 34 may be defined between the adjacent halfprotective shield assemblies 1 a to facilitate access to ceilingfixtures (not illustrated) and the like through the shield section 20when the shield section 20 is attached to a ceiling or other surface(not illustrated), as will be hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, adjacent protective shield assemblies1 which are disposed alongside each other in the shield section 20 mayengage each other in a meshing manner by insertion of the side shieldattachment flanges 9 of one protective shield assembly 1 into therespective registering flange gaps 12 a which extend between the sideshield attachment flanges 9 a of the adjacent protective shield assembly1. In like manner, the side shield attachment flanges 9 a of oneprotective shield assembly 1 are inserted in the respective registeringflange gaps 12 of the other protective shield assembly 1. As illustratedin FIG. 20, the side shield attachment flanges 9, 9 a may alternate witheach other to define a seam between the adjacent protective shieldassemblies 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, adjacent protective shield assemblies1 which are disposed in end-to-end relationship with respect to eachother in the shield section 20 may engage each other by insertion of thebase panel end flange 8 a of one protective shield assembly 1 over thenon-registering base panel end flange 8 of the adjacent protectiveshield assembly 1. Along one longitudinal edge of each shield section20, the side shield attachment flanges 9 and the flange gaps 12 of apair of end-to-end protective shield assemblies 1 remain exposed,whereas along the opposite longitudinal edge of each shield section 20,the side shield attachment flanges 9 a and flange gaps 12 a of anotherpair of end-to-end protective shield assemblies 1 remain exposed tofacilitate side-to-side meshing engagement of adjacent shield sections20 in the same manner as the individual protective shield assemblies 1are meshed with each other as was heretofore described. Likewise, alongone transverse edge of each shield section 20, the base panel endflanges 8 of three side-to-side protective shield assemblies 1 remainexposed whereas along the opposite transverse edge of the shield section20 the base panel end flanges 8 a of three other side-to-side protectiveshield assemblies 1 remain exposed to facilitate end-to-end engagementof the adjacent shield sections 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, an exemplary shield section frame 21 which issuitable for supporting the meshing protective shield assemblies 1 inthe shield section 20 is illustrated in phantom. The shield sectionframe 21 may include multiple frame studs 22 which extend along thetransverse axis of the shield section 20 in generally parallel,spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. As illustrated inFIG. 12, in some embodiments each frame stud 22 may include a stud core23 having a generally square or rectangular cross-sectional shape. Apair of C-channel beams 24 may be attached to opposite sides of the studcore 23 using stud fasteners 25 and/or any other suitable attachmenttechnique. Each frame stud 22 may have any alternative constructionwhich is consistent with the use requirements of the frame studs 22 inthe shield section frame 21.

Multiple generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart hat channel beams26 may extend along the longitudinal axis of the shield section 20 inintersecting relationship with respect to each frame stud 22. Each hatchannel beam 26 may be attached to each frame stud 22 according to anysuitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. Asillustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 10 (which is taken alongsection lines 10-10 in FIG. 8) and the sectional view of FIG. 14 (whichis taken along section lines 14-14 in FIG. 11), in some embodiments thismay be accomplished by extending the stud fasteners 25 through fasteneropenings (not illustrated) provided in the hat channel beam 26 andthreading the channel beam fasteners 25 into respective fasteneropenings (not illustrated) provided in the frame stud 22.

As further illustrated in FIG. 14, the hat channel beams 26 attach themeshing protective shield assemblies 1 to the frame studs 22. Theprotective shield assemblies 1 may be attached to each hat channel beam26 according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilledin the art. In some embodiments, a shield fastener 27 may be extendedthrough each shield fastener opening 10 (FIG. 1) which extends througheach side shield attachment flange 9, 9 a of each protective shieldassembly 1. The shield fastener 27 is threaded through a registeringshield fastener opening (not illustrated) provided in the hat channelbeam 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 14, in some applications, a sealor insert 30 and a filler 31, such as caulk, for example and withoutlimitation, may be inserted in the gap between the base panel side wall5 of one protective shield assembly 1 and the base panel side wall 5 aof the adjacent protective shield assembly 1 for sealing purposes. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, a seal or insert 30 and a filler 31 may also beinserted in the gap between the base panel end walls 4, 4 a of adjacentend-to-end protective shield assemblies 1. As illustrated in FIG. 15, abacking 42 and a sealant (not illustrated) such as caulk may be providedbetween the outer edge of each protective shield assembly 1 whichextends along at a longitudinal edge of the shield section 20 and theoutermost hat channel beam 26.

In typical application of the protective shield assembly 1, multipleshield sections 20 are pre-assembled and then attached in meshingrelationship with respect to each other to a surface 48 (FIG. 18) suchas an exterior soffit, ceiling or fascia of a building or house, forexample and without limitation, to protect the surface 48 from damagedue to storm conditions such as high winds and flying debris.Accordingly, each frame stud 22 in the shield section frame 21 of eachshield section 20 may be attached to the surface 48 using any suitabletechnique which is known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated inFIG. 12A, in some applications, multiple channel beams 28 (one of whichis illustrated) may be attached to each frame stud 22 using channel beamfasteners 29 and/or other suitable technique known by those skilled inthe art. Each channel beam 28 may be attached to the surface 48 or to astructural element (not illustrated) of the surface 48 typically usingsuitable fasteners (not illustrated). Accordingly, the corrugated panel16 of each protective shield assembly 1 in each shield section 20typically faces the surface 48, whereas the base panel 3 on theprotective shield base 2 of each protective shield assembly 1 typicallyfaces away from the surface 48, as illustrated in FIG. 18. Adjacentshield sections 20 are engaged with each other in side-by-side andmeshing relationship with respect to each other by inserting the sideshield attachment flanges 9 on the protective shield assemblies 1 alongone longitudinal edge of each shield section 20 in the flange gaps 12 abetween the side shield attachment flanges 9 a on the protective shieldassemblies 1 along the opposite longitudinal edge of the adjacent shieldsection 20. Adjacent shield sections 20 are engaged with each other inend-to-end relationship with respect to each other by inserting the basepanel end flanges 8 a on the protective shield assemblies 1 along onetransverse edge of each shield section 20 over the base panel endflanges 8 on the protective shield assemblies 1 along the oppositetransverse edge of the adjacent shield section 20. At least one of theshield sections 20 may include a pair of adjacent half protective shieldassemblies 1 a having a half shield access gap 34 through which fixtures(not illustrated) and the like on the surface 48 can be accessed. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the panel ridges 17and the panel troughs 18 of the corrugated panel 16 of each protectiveshield assembly 1 and half protective shield assembly 1 a imparttorsional resistance to each protective shield assembly 1 and resistswind loads which would otherwise be applied against the surface 48 aswell as debris which may otherwise strike and damage the surface 48. Theshield sections 20 may be disassembled and removed from the surface 48by reversing the steps which were outlined above.

Referring next to FIGS. 16 and 17 of the drawings, in some applicationsone or multiple ceiling sections 46, each having multiple meshingprotective shield assemblies 1, can be used to cover and shield a firstsurface 48 (FIG. 17) such as a soffit or ceiling, for example andwithout limitation. One or multiple fascia sections 54, each also havingmultiple meshing protective shield assemblies 1, can be used to coverand shield a second surface 55 (FIG. 17) such as an exterior fascia on abuilding, for example and without limitation, which may be disposedgenerally adjacent to and at an angle with respect to the first surface48. In each of the ceiling section 46 and the fascia section 54, theside shield attachment flanges 9, 9 a of each protective shield assembly1 may be attached to a pair of C-channel beams 47 such as by assemblyfasteners 58, as illustrated in FIG. 17. As further illustrated in FIG.17, each C-channel beam 47 on the ceiling section 46 may be attached tothe first surface 48 using multiple channel beam fasteners 59 or othersuitable technique known by those skilled in the art. Each C-channelbeam 47 on the fascia section 54 may be attached to the second surface55 also using multiple channel beam fasteners 59 or any other suitabletechnique which is known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated inFIG. 16, a filler 50 such as caulk, for example and without limitation,may be applied to the gaps between adjacent protective shield assemblies1 in the ceiling section 46 and the fascia section 54. Accordingly, theceiling section or sections 46 and the fascia section or sections 54cover and protect the first surface 48 and the second surface 55,respectively, from wind loads and flying debris during storm conditions,for example.

While the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been describedabove, it will be recognized and understood that various modificationscan be made to the embodiments and the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure.

1. A protective shield assembly, comprising: a protective shield basecomprising: a generally planar base panel; first and second base panelend walls extending from said base panel; first and second base panelside walls extending from said base panel between said first and secondbase panel end walls; first and second base panel end flanges extendingfrom said first and second base panel end walls, respectively; and aplurality of side shield attachment flanges extending from each of saidfirst and second base panel side walls; and a corrugated panel carriedby said base panel between said first and second base panel end walls.2. The protective shield assembly of claim 1 wherein said first andsecond base panel end walls and said first and second base panel sidewalls are disposed in generally perpendicular relationship with respectto said base panel.
 3. The protective shield assembly of claim 2 whereinsaid first and second base panel end flanges are disposed in generallyperpendicular relationship with respect to said first and second basepanel end walls, respectively.
 4. The protective shield assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said plurality of side shield attachment flangescomprises a first plurality of side shield attachment flanges extendingfrom said first base panel side wall and a second plurality of sideshield attachment flanges extending from said second base panel sidewall.
 5. The protective shield assembly of claim 4 further comprising afirst plurality of flange gaps between said first plurality of sideshield attachment flanges and a second plurality of flange gaps betweensaid second plurality of side shield attachment flanges.
 6. Theprotective shield assembly of claim 1 further comprising anelectrically-insulating adhesive disposed between said protective shieldbase and said corrugated panel.
 7. The protective shield assembly ofclaim 1 further comprising a galvanized coating provided on saidcorrugated panel.
 8. The protective shield of claim 1 wherein said basepanel of said protective shield base has a generally elongated,rectangular shape.
 9. A protective shield assembly, comprising: aprotective shield base comprising: a generally elongated, rectangular,planar base panel; first and second base panel end walls extending fromsaid base panel; first and second base panel side walls extending fromsaid base panel between said first and second base panel end walls;first and second base panel end flanges extending from said first andsecond base panel end walls, respectively; a first plurality of sideshield attachment flanges extending from said first base panel sidewall; a first plurality of flange gaps between said first plurality ofside shield attachment flanges; a second plurality of side shieldattachment flanges extending from said second base panel side wall; asecond plurality of flange gaps between said second plurality of sideshield attachment flanges; and wherein said second plurality of sideshield attachment flanges is offset with respect to said first pluralityof side shield attachment flanges and said second plurality of flangegaps is offset with respect to said first plurality of flange gaps; anda corrugated panel having a plurality of panel ridges and a plurality ofpanel grooves between said plurality of panel ridges, respectively, andcarried by said base panel between said first and second base panel endwalls.
 10. The protective shield assembly of claim 9 wherein said firstand second base panel end walls and said first and second base panelside walls are disposed in generally perpendicular relationship withrespect to said base panel.
 11. The protective shield assembly of claim10 wherein said first and second base panel end flanges are disposed ingenerally perpendicular relationship with respect to said first andsecond base panel end walls, respectively.
 12. The protective shieldassembly of claim 9 wherein said plurality of panel ridges and saidplurality of panel grooves of said corrugated panel are disposed intransverse relationship with respect to a longitudinal axis of said basepanel.
 13. The protective shield assembly of claim 9 wherein saidprotective shield base comprises aluminum and said corrugated panelcomprises steel.
 14. The protective shield assembly of claim 13 furthercomprising an electrically-insulating adhesive disposed between saidprotective shield base and said corrugated panel.
 15. The protectiveshield assembly of claim 13 further comprising a galvanized coatingprovided on said corrugated panel.
 16. A shield section, comprising: ashield section frame; a plurality of protective shield assembliescarried by said shield section frame, each of said plurality ofprotective shield assemblies comprising: a protective shield base havinga plurality of flanges carried by said shield section frame; and acorrugated panel carried by said protective shield base; and whereinsaid plurality of flanges of said protective shield base of a first oneof said plurality of protective shield assemblies meshes with saidplurality of flanges of said protective shield base of a second one ofsaid plurality of protective shield assemblies.
 17. The shield sectionof claim 16 wherein said shield section frame comprises a plurality ofspaced-apart frame studs and a plurality of spaced-apart hat channelbeams carried by said plurality of spaced-apart frame studs inintersecting relationship, and wherein said plurality of protectiveshield assemblies is carried by said plurality of hat channel beams. 18.The shield section of claim 16 wherein said protective shield basecomprises a generally elongated, rectangular, planar base panel; firstand second base panel end walls extending from said base panel; andfirst and second base panel side walls extending from said base panelbetween said first and second base panel end walls, and wherein saidplurality of flanges comprises a first and second base panel end flangesextending from said first and second base panel end walls, respectively;a first plurality of side shield attachment flanges extending from saidfirst base panel side wall; and a second plurality of side shieldattachment flanges extending from said second base panel side wall. 19.The shield section of claim 18 wherein said second plurality of sideshield attachment flanges is offset with respect to said first pluralityof side shield attachment flanges.
 20. The shield section of claim 19further comprising a first plurality of flange gaps between said firstplurality of side shield attachment flanges and a second plurality offlange gaps between said second plurality of side shield attachmentflanges, and wherein said second plurality of flange gaps is offset withrespect to said first plurality of flange gaps.